Published: 04 September, 2014  |  Last updated: 04 September, 2014

Teaching English in Béziers, France

Béziers, France

 

Report submitted on 02 September, 2014 by Francois.

Teaching English in Béziers, France:

How can teachers find teaching jobs in Béziers, France?
There are not many opportunities around the city I live in. Montpellier is a bigger city closeby and there are therefore more opportunities there.

The main English teaching jobs available are:
Agencies (send teachers to different locations), private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.)

What are the minimum teaching requirements?
You would have to hold a degree in English and in education, preferably a Bachelor’s degree.

What teaching requirements would you recommend?
It is quite hard to find a teaching position in French schools, due to the very protective nature of the French government. All teachers in State schools have to have a French degree. There are opportunities in the private sector, so the more experience you have the better. Speaking French is a requirement.

What are the levels of payment?
Can range from 15€ per hours if you work for a company to 55€ per hour if you are very experienced and can sell your services to a company.

How many teaching days a week is normal?
4 days per week.

How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
18 hours per week.

What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
5 weeks if you are employed. It is the law here in France. It will be more if you are hired by a school. If you are self employed you have to work all the time!

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Béziers, France to teach English?
Definitely be fluent in French and learn about French culture before you come. A lot of people want to learn a foreign language and their first choice is usually English.

What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Béziers, France?
The south of France is gorgeous and the weather is terrific! You have the sea and the mountain not far, lots of tourists during the summer months.

What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Béziers, France?
The economy isn’t doing so great in France, not many jobs available.

What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
You have to know French and make sure you can teach pronunciation well.

 

Living in Béziers, France:

Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in France?
If you are not a EU citizen, you will have to have legal status to be able to live in France. It can be very difficult to get.

What is the cost of living like in France?
Cost of living in France is quite comparable to the USA. Small towns are cheaper, Paris is outrageously expensive.

What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Most people live in apartments if they are within the city limits. You can rent apartments quite cheaply in small towns.

Local private schools help you to find a place but you will pay the rent.

Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Béziers, France?
The weather and proximity to the sea and mountains.

Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Béziers, France?
It is a small town and pretty poor. People tend to be conservative and not very welcoming at first.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Béziers, France to live?
Be patient, get to know people. At first people tend to not be as friendly as they would be in the USA for instance. It doesn’t mean they are not nice, they need to get to know you first!

What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Stores being opened all the time. Good customer service!

What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country (e.g. things that are difficult to get in your location)?
You can find all the things you find elsewhere in the industrialized world. If you really like peanut butter, Cheezwiz or vegemite… bring it along, the French are very conservative with their food 🙂

What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Béziers, France?
The food!!!

 

About Me and My Work:

My Name: Francois

Nationality: American

Students I’ve taught in France: Elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years), high school (15-18 years), university, adults, business.

Where I teach: I teach privately. My wife and I created a structure and we teach locally and on Skype. My wife teaches mostly French and I teach ESL.  I’ve been teaching here for 1 year.

How I found my current jobs: I am self employed.

My school facilities: Good – All schools have good to superior facilities.

Teacher support at my school: Training / workshops, lesson observations.

Links: http://living-in-languedoc.com

 

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